Regulatory Affairs Associate Jobs in California

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This position is located in Sacramento, CA.

Can Be Filled at a Higher Level Based on Experience.

Career Level: P3

Primary Purpose:
Develops regulatory positions, drafts complex filings, and leads cross-functional coordination for compliance initiatives. Strengthens strategic outcomes by ensuring submissions meet regulatory standards and advance organizational interests.
This position is part of the State Government Relations – Policy & Issue Management organization. The shared service team leads cross-functional policy development and advocacy on significant state energy and environmental issues before local air districts, state agencies (excluding the CPUC), and the Legislature. The team works with internal and external stakeholders and engages directly with policymakers to advance Company objectives.

Duties and Responsibilities:

• Develops positions and drafts complex filings (new registrations, significant variations, rate cases with customer impact models); structures arguments and evidence for approval.
• Coordinates cross‑functional evidence packages (quality systems, testing, safety, customer impact) and aligns timelines to regulator milestones.
• Advises on compliance for growth initiatives (new product lines, acquisitions, market entries); outlines regulatory pathways, risks, and mitigations.
• Leads root‑cause reviews after audit or inspection findings; designs corrective and preventive actions that address system causes.
• Represents the organization in technical committees or industry forums; explains compliance rationale and proposed policy outcomes.
• Crafts well‑supported responses to deficiency letters or data requests; negotiates realistic timelines and commitments.
• Leads small improvement projects (submission quality improvements, labeling claim libraries, change‑control enhancements) with measurable outcomes.
• Mentors junior staff on drafting techniques, regulator engagement, and evidence building.
• Engages directly with state policymakers, including but not limited to staff at the California Energy Commission and California Air Resources Board, to advance Company energy and environmental policy priorities.
• Builds relationships with agency staff and key stakeholders, identifying opportunities for potential alignment in advocacy approaches.
• Advises leadership on agency priorities, policy risks and opportunities, and recommended engagement strategies.
• Performs other duties as assigned.

Requirements:

Required Qualifications:

• Typically requires a 4 year degree in a relevant field, or equivalent combination of relevant education and experience.
• Typically requires 5 years of related experience.

Preferred Qualifications:

• Major in Communications; Political Science; Public Policy; Environmental Policy; Public Administration; Business; Economics; Statistics; Engineering; or other related field.
• Experience representing an organization in agency proceedings, public workshops, stakeholder meetings, coalitions, associations, or other external forums.
• Experience engaging with or working for the California Energy Commission, California Air Resources Board, a California air district, the California Legislature, Governor's Office, or another state agency.

Required Knowledge, Skills and Abilities:

• Ability to assess regulatory and compliance risks associated with business or operational changes.
• Ability to balance regulatory expectations with operational objectives.
• Ability to contribute expert regulatory or compliance input to cross-functional initiatives.
• Knowledge of regulator and auditor expectations.
• Knowledge of regulatory and compliance frameworks across multiple lifecycle stages or processes.
• Skill in drafting, reviewing, and refining complex regulatory or compliance documentation.
• Skill in interpreting regulations, guidance, and internal policies with limited direction.

Preferred Knowledge, Skills and Abilities:

• Ability to exercise sound judgment in politically sensitive or high-visibility situations, and represent the companies effectively with external stakeholders.
• Knowledge of and experience with California energy and utility policy, including issues affecting electric and natural gas utilities, affordability, reliability, wildfire, infrastructure, environmental policy, and the clean energy transition.
• Knowledge of and experience with California government affairs practices, including legislative and regulatory advocacy, coalition engagement, stakeholder outreach, and executive briefings.

All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, citizenship, disability or protected veteran status.

Pay Transparency In order to support the Fair Compensation Strategy by the US Govt., HR Dept., clients are required to adhere to "Pay Transparency Law"; in the impacted states; that have mandated the employers to list the salary ranges in Job advertisements or postings for job opportunities and Job promotions.